MTN Cake Crush Competition – Seems like a ****!

I purchased a data bundle from MTN on Sunday 19 January 2020. I got a sms stating that I had 2 free crushes for the Cake crush game. I played and received a sms stating that I had won an Apple iPhone X 256GB, and that I would be contacted to arrange delivery of my prize. I was extremely excited, but given the way things are now, I feel like the excitement was just a higher high that lead me to an extreme low filled with frustration and disappointment coupled with a complete loss of trust in the MTN brand. A few days went by and I was not contacted so I sent an email to MTN customer care on 22 January 2020 as there were no contact details in the sms. They responded on the 24th stating that my query had been forwarded to their competitions department and that someone would be in contact. There was no communication again and so I sent through a follow up on 4 February 2020, I received a response on 07 February 2020 stating that my prize had already been claimed… This was when the frustration and disappointment began. I responded stating that I had not claimed my prize (why would I be following up if I had already claimed the prize???), and I requested for someone to contact me. I received a call from Lungelo with an email following that which basically stated what was discussed. I was told that someone from the marketing department that was handling the cake crush competition would contact me early this week to arrange delivery. But here’s what was frustrating… He also told me that delivery would occur within 60 CALENDAR DAYS, after receiving confirmation from an MTN representative and having my details verified. What kind of pathetic, poorly managed competition is this??? I mean, I took out an additional MTN contract a few weeks ago, and my new sim was delivered in a matter of days, yet to claim a prize takes more than 2 months? How does this work? I get speedy service when I’m going to be paying for something but when I win a prize then I need to wait forever?

What’s even more frustrating given the information relayed to me in the last communication from MTN via Lungelo, is that the delivery is only scheduled for within 60 days from the time a representative contact me, which to date has still not yet happened. So if I had not followed up, then when would I even be contacted? Should I buy a stocking and prepare to have my prize delivered to me for Christmas? Pathetic, appalling and grossly mismanaged don’t even begin to explain the way I feel about the competition and my experience with MTN. And lastly, as I was bust typing this review, I received a call from MTN, but again, all that was done was that my details were recorded and I was told they would be in touch, no clear confirmation on when to expect my prize. Why is it so difficult to provide clear feedback and a definite answer or even a window period for when delivery will take place?